Notes About The Poem

Peacocks and Predators

The raptor and the peacock hence,
Sit pensive on a rambling fence.
The first, inclined to be the host,
Jumped down to claim the nearest post.
The pea averse to snubs or quailing
Moves closer on the weathered railing.

Both immersed in trailing thoughts
Mused on nigh, and what was naught.
The Pea fans its tail in public splendor
Cramped raptor prefers an opposing gender.
He clasps a plume of gleaming thread
To implant it on his own stark head.

On and on, a grueling day
Feathers plucked; cold work at play.
Peafowl’s once featured feathered shafts
Now forlornly bare and subject to draft.
The predacious bird, a cocky thief
Snidely at par, to a native chief.

Clips of sun reveal a shadowy bane
The unlikely pair cast as one and the same
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Loving Iii Avatar
August 14, 2025 at 10:09 AM
I read this like it was poetry. it had all the ingreadients of a masterful piece. But looking it was from so long ago. Devonshire was an old friend.
Mac Donald Avatar
August 14, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Well oh well, quweek quweek quweek, I got this page back. I'm sure they will let it pass this time only for the sake of 3 quweeks. Oh Lord. I often think of Carolyn Devonshire, she was like an exquisite diamond of a person. She could reflect and shine on everyone
Duet Avatar
April 11, 2019 at 12:00 AM
Hi Michelle...just dropped by to tell you I really enjoyed reading this poem today...so clever and entertaining.
Robinson Jr. Avatar
May 15, 2017 at 2:11 PM
A marvelous poem, Michelle. This is my debut foray into your creative works. This splendid poem reveals you to be a storyteller extraordinaire. A 7 for such top notch poetry. May love light your path always. Romantic Warrior
Mac Donald Avatar
May 23, 2017 at 11:26 AM
Thank you for the blessing, Freddie, this is one I can share with many!:)
Yvonne Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 6:57 PM
I am convinced I need to read this one many many times to find each piece of the puzzle and create the succinct picture you painted. I love the flow, the sound and its implications. Definitely a fav.
Devonshire Avatar
September 23, 2016 at 3:58 AM
What a great flow you have in this well-penned poem, Mickie. Stripped of feathers (or fur), animals' appearances change greatly. I'm not on the soup often, but I want to read more of your work. Consider me a new fan!
Mac Donald Avatar
September 30, 2016 at 9:27 AM
I love the flora and fauna. God has gifted nature; she is a masterful painter and an adroit sculptor. Each thing has it's function and purpose. Have always been a quiet though genuine fan of yours, Carolyn.:) Keep well, wishing you the best! Hugs, Mikki
Austin Avatar
September 11, 2016 at 11:57 AM
Forgot I wrote Saying Goodbye to Summer. These days my inspiration is stagnant. What I am really interested in now is art. Art and poetry are so closely knit. Most are including pictures with their poems. This I don't agree with because it locks a reader's imagination. I fear this is the coming thing though. Hope you are doing well and are happy. Your comments are so intellectual, I yearn for some more poetry from your inventive mind. A fauvist hug for you. Dave
Mac Donald Avatar
September 12, 2016 at 6:23 PM
Hi Daver :) Including pictures with poetry can enhance what's written, or fill spaces where the words couldn't reach. I often draw as I write, equivalent to a muse belch, I suppose. The drawings are abstract and unrelated. 'Un Pause Café' that keeps my muse from drifting off. I'll write to you via Pony Express, I promise!! Best wishes and hugs to you all!!! Love, Mikki
Devnath  Avatar
August 23, 2016 at 12:21 PM
Very nice story on Peacocks and Predators. Beautifully done my friend. Hugs, Cloudy poet, bl
Mac Donald Avatar
August 25, 2016 at 11:09 AM
may the gravity of our troubles, never anchor our spirit to the ground.
Horsman Avatar
July 13, 2016 at 3:37 PM
story teller extraordinary love this...
Austin Avatar
June 22, 2016 at 1:50 PM
Hi, Mikki. I put an envelope in the mail yesterday - my poems on Greek themes. I wouldn't send you must anything, but these got a very good revue from a publisher a few years ago. Unfortunately, he said there was not much market for Greek poetry these days. He did offer to go half expenses with me if I wanted to publish. At my age I don't want to have to peddle books. Love and hugs, daver
Mac Donald Avatar
June 22, 2016 at 7:32 PM
I can't wait to read these poems, Daver! I also have something here, that is more you than myself; though I did listen to the music watching the ballet. Your gift will be more special to me, but this one will have you smiling. I miss emailing you...everything is followed by a story. :) Love and hugs to you, Daver! Mikki
Austin Avatar
June 19, 2016 at 11:13 AM
Thanking you again for the nice presents. I have one ready to send your way which I hope you will like. Big Old Love and Hugs, daver
Austin Avatar
June 14, 2016 at 10:28 AM
Thank you so much for the beautiful statue and the wonderful napkins. Kapyatie? Was she a a Greek Goddess? I don't know the name. And what is the occasion? Doesn't really matter - it was just so sweet of you to think of me in such lovely terms. The statue must have been hurt by invaders because it has no arms. E-mail me and tell me all about it. Hope you are doing o.k. Sending arm fulls of hugs and love. daver
Mac Donald Avatar
June 15, 2016 at 6:49 PM
Not fun for Kapyatie, I hadn't haggled for the price, but I did mention she was missing an arm.:) Greek, yes, I think she'd been a goddess who loved children, and nature? When I'd seen it had reminded me of 'Iliad'. Keep well, stay safe! Love and hugs, Mikki
Dietrich Avatar
June 2, 2016 at 8:35 PM
Hey, get some new poems up!! I have just a little time but will give a quick look to see if I have missed anything lately.
Austin Avatar
May 30, 2016 at 9:39 AM
Lewis Carol would love this one, me too. Hugs a bundle. daver
Mac Donald Avatar
May 31, 2016 at 7:02 PM
I had tried posting an image of the South African raptor. It's a poem in itself.:) I wonder if the feathers can flatten, as though it had used brill cream? Could give him the Great Gatsby look?
Makama Avatar
May 26, 2016 at 11:53 AM
glamourous and wonderful. What a majestic long awaited comeback, I in person have been hoping to read a fresh masterpiece from a friend I have so missed. A definite and powerful 7
Mac Donald Avatar
May 27, 2016 at 8:09 PM
It's not so fresh, Funom...I'd written this in 2003. :) I'm sorry I hadn't kept up with my readings and writes. Having lost some of my poems, I thought I'd better post instead of losing these parts of my own timeline.
Austin Avatar
May 18, 2016 at 11:00 AM
Yes. Quite an unlikely pair. The second time through is even better than the first. Predacious - a very eloquacious word. the definition of my word is a word with eloquence. I can just see that pile of feathers. A raptorous hug, daver
Austin Avatar
May 17, 2016 at 2:26 PM
Oh that nasty old raptor! The last line tells a grueling story of a Jurassic beast in all his glory. For my money the tale is a wee bit gory. Seriously, dear Mikki, this work has met all my expectations of superb writing. You are devlish clever. Love and hugs from daver, your admirer
Bateman Avatar
May 8, 2016 at 6:44 PM
Hello Mikki!! Thanks once again for your read of my "Poetic Encryption" epic posted earlier today. I read your "Peacocks and Predators" here several times with rapt attention. The depth and precision of this Imagism write is as marvelous as it is truly captivating. The power and imagery of in this poem are indeed quite revealing. Outstanding Work!! This one is a 7+++ and is a FAV for sure!! Keep up the great writing here -- you're very talented for sure. Cheers and Best, Gary
Dietrich Avatar
May 8, 2016 at 4:52 PM
wow, this is a CLEVER one. very unique and out of the box too. Great writing, Michelle.
Grahamburglar Avatar
May 7, 2016 at 7:23 PM
This is really good. Really good. "Cramped raptor prefers an opposing gender"...hahaha. This one pulled me right in and kept me entertained start to finish. Easy 7 from me. -G
Mac Donald Avatar
May 8, 2016 at 3:53 AM
Thank you -G :)
Cooper Avatar
May 7, 2016 at 7:17 PM
Brilliant Mikki, I will put it into my favourites. Please finish it though, it is to good a work to lie incomplete. Love Shane xxx
Mac Donald Avatar
May 8, 2016 at 4:00 AM
Thank you! I've sent you a link to this bird...I'm not sure if it's for real or if it's like the jackalope. I'm not sure about that one, we'd sent postcards with that rabbit the front.
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